What York St John means to me – Alumni Stories, Dom Smith

Hello, my name is Dom Smith and I am a graduate of York St John University. I am pretty passionate about the place, still, to this day! The reason, aside from the fact that I left with a really valuable degree in Theatre, Film, and Television, is that I’m also pretty proud of it.

YSJ has stayed with me throughout my adult life, as a support network for my own business – Soundsphere magazine, which is an alternative music publication (online and print) covering the North of England, and the rest of the world. It’s a dream job, for sure! And we wouldn’t be in the position we are now (covering major festivals including SXSW in the US and Sziget in Hungary), if it wasn’t for the network of really talented, driven and creative people (who happen to also, in most cases, be kick-ass writers) who study (or have studied) at YSJ.

Of course, many thanks must go to the wonderful careers department at the university, who have wilfully connected all of these people up with us. I mean, I’m not sure why they wouldn’t want to in the first place, because, well, we are pretty awesome! Still, I am really, really glad that people like Liz Whitaker and Suzanne Dickinson (who are both legendary, in more ways than one!) have been so supportive of our work over the years.

I certainly made the most out of my student experience with YSJ. I joined societies, met loads of people I still call friends, and made a few massive mistakes (personally and professionally) that I’ve learned from since then. I also travelled (went on a semester abroad), and gave myself a massive personal confidence boost that’s followed me through adult life. I mean, that’s what university is about isn’t it? Take chances. Make mistakes and just keep going. Like a machine, or something. Through all the bills, bad relationships, and late nights on energy drinks, this is your opportunity to be awesome, and push yourself way beyond anything you’ve done before. Also, there are other advantages to keeping in touch with the university after you’re gone, if they can find a use for you (I’m very lucky to be able to do occasional media/journalism workshops and seminars), then you might end up with some work too! But yeah, YSJ was, and still is incredibly cool to me.

Dom Smith, Graduated 2007